Beyond Ourselves Podcast
A Sippy Cup Won’t Do
When we come to God for a new life in Christ, we don’t come to a sippy cup of refreshing life. We come to an overflowing fountain of life. “Come to Me and drink!” Jesus invites us. (John 7:37) And don’t stop drinking. God’s fountain flows in the “innermost being” of the one who believes in Jesus. From where does the living water originate? Psalm 36:9 tells us. “For with You is the FOUNTAIN of LIFE…” God is a FOUNTAIN of LIFE. During these Covid-19 shut in days, why not use the time to dive into a Bible study? You’ll find it quenches a thirst and refreshes your innermost being. It will feed you so you’re strengthened to endure each day. There’s no better time than now to read/study for the first time or re-read “The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World” or “If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?” Or, if you prefer to listen, you’ll find “The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World FREE audio so you can listen as you go about your day. Or, pick the thirst quenching study of your choice. (Hint: How to Live by the Divine Nature is one of my favs.)
Lord, You are the FOUNTAIN of LIFE! Thank You for Your Word, Spirit, and presence that fill us and flow in and through us when we drink richly of You. 
Light in the Darkness
Our nation and world are going through a difficult and what some would call a dark time physically, emotionally, and financially. What should we do in times like this? Turn to God, whom James 1:17 describes as the FATHER OF LIGHTS. The prince of darkness, Satan, would love nothing more than for us to stumble in fear. But James points to our hope. “Every good thing is given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the FATHER OF LIGHTS, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” Regarding this verse, Charles Ryrie notes, “God is the source of all light – physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual – and He does not change.”* Rather than stumble in fear, walk by the FATHER OF LIGHTS’ illumination one day at a time.
Father of Lights, illumine our spirit with the Light of Your Spirit so we live as children of Light and spread Your Light to others.
Who is For You in the Game of Life
“Which team are you for?” “Which candidate are you for?” We often talk about who we’re for. But have you ever thought about who is for you? It’s a good question. Who is for you? Are you blessed to have a friend or family member who is there for you? But, what if you don’t, and you daily fight the loneliness and sadness of getting through each day on your own? God has an important message for us in Romans 8:31. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is FOR US, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over FOR US ALL…” GOD is FOR YOU. Not only is He not against us, the fact that He’s FOR US is amazing! Say it out loud. “God is for me. He is for me.” God is in the game of our life…saving our souls. Rescuing us. Making a place for us in heaven. Righting our wrongs. Extending grace. Wiping away our tears. Interceding for us. Guarding us. How much is He for us? A tiny bit? A big amount? The Father and Son are so for us they rescued our souls from Satan’s dominion by Jesus switching places with us on the cross. The next time we’re tempted to feel sorry for ourselves or Satan whispers, “you’re doing life all alone,” answer back loud and clear, “Wrong! God is with me and FOR ME.” Then, in genuine gratitude, thank the Heavenly Father and Son.
Heavenly Father, Precious Savior, thank You for being FOR US. We praise You, thank You, and pray our lives reflect our gratitude.
A Perfect Storm
Schools are closing. College students are returning home to study online. Moms, dads, grandparents are working from home. Or, not working and worried about how they’ll make ends meet. Close quarters. High emotions. Worries about tomorrow. Some not feeling well or down right sick. The perfect storm for cross words, eruptions, blame, and emotional distancing. How can we wisely relate to one another? With forgiveness. We can pattern ourselves after Jesus who comes to us in the storm. We can pattern ourselves after our Heavenly Father who forgives us even though we miss the mark with Him. First John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That is wonderful news. It’s also an example for us to follow. He tells us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ has forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:32. Just as. In other words we repent and tell God we’re sorry when we mess up. We extend mercy and forgive others. We show grace even when it’s not returned. We choose love. How can we do this? We can’t. It is only possible when we receive Christ into our life, our storm, and asked Him to fill us, take control of us, and live His life through us. A storm is the perfect opportunity for those closest to us to see Jesus – maybe for the first time or in a new way.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You come to us in the storms of life. Thank You that You forgive us when we miss the mark. Thank You for showing us how to forgive others. Fill us. Live Your life through us so others see and believe in You.
Are You Worried About the END
Do you ever worry about the end? True, our day comes to an end. Our weekend comes to an end. Vacations end. Time with loved ones ends. But, we need not worry because there’s one thing that never ends: God. Psalm 90:2 states, “Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” God has no end. He is EVERLASTING. He will exist no matter what happens to the earth and world. If you’re feeling a sense of loss or loneliness; or if it feels like everything in our world is changing too quickly, you have a reason to praise. God is EVERLASTING. He will never end. His presence will be with you.
Lord, You are the EVERLASTING GOD! We rejoice and rest in You.
When Whims Aren’t Good
Can you imagine if God ruled by whim, by ever-changing emotions and laws? What if on a whim, He decided to not be forgiving? Or, decided to forgive one person, but not you? What if God’s standard of holiness changed every year? Thank goodness that is not who our God is. Psalm 99:4 says He loves justice. He has ESTABLISHED EQUITY. That is why the psalmist says, “Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He.” (Psalm 99:3) Yes, that is why we praise our great and awesome God. He is not a God of whim, but rather, a God of equity.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t rule by whim, but rather with equity. We love and praise You!
I Can’t or I Can
“I can’t do it!” Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you feel that way about your job, marriage or even getting to the gym and eating healthy. Maybe you know what you need to do as a parent, but don’t have the energy and stamina, so you say, “I can’t.” Perhaps you feel you “can’t” be the Christian that God desires you to be. If you feel that way, you’re not alone. I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve felt inadequate. But the wonderful thing is, Hebrews 13:20-21 assures us that God is able. “Now the God of peace, … equip you in every good thing to do His will…” We can say along with Paul, “not that I am adequate in myself, but my adequacy comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping us to do everything to which You call us. Help us mindfully depend on You and walk by Your guiding Spirit. We love and praise You.
If You’re Down
Are you down or discouraged? Do you feel the heaviness of oppression? Are you down on yourself or disappointed in someone? Do you feel betrayed? The apostle Paul, whom God used mightily, had ample opportunity to be discouraged. Lonely nights. Conflicting opinions among believers. Physical sufferings. Wrongful imprisonments. Yet, in Romans 15:5-6 he writes, “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul got his encouragement from God. He got his encouragement from singing praises to Him. If we’re down, what can we do? Turn off the TV. Go to God in prayer. Open our Bibles. Receive His encouragement.
Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for ENCOURAGING us deep down, in our innermost beings. Help us persevere by keeping our minds on You.
Go for the Supreme
Do you like supreme pizzas? I do! They have everything on them. They’re the best when it comes to pizza in my opinion. But one thing that isn’t an opinion but rather a fact is that there is a Supreme God and He is everything for which our hearts could yearn. Genesis 1:1 explains. “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth.” GOD is Elohim and scholar Charles Ryrie explains that Elohim is a generic term for deity as well as a proper name for the true god. Its basic meaning is ‘strong one, mighty leader, supreme Deity.’ There is no one and no God more supreme than the Lord Jesus Christ whom we worship. Go to Him. Bow before Him. Call on Him in praise and worship. Ask Him for your needs. He is all you could ever want.
Supreme God, we bow in worship and praise of You, for how You have revealed Your majesty to us, for how You’ve reached down and saved us, for how You will raise us up to be in Your presence one day, for the many ways You watch over us and protect us. It is with unspeakable reverence we praise You!
Where to “Hang Out”
Where is home to you, the place you hang out to find comfort, love, and security? If it’s not God, you’re missing out on the ultimate DWELLING PLACE: God Himself. Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath is the everlasting arms.” When you’re tired and want to rest, when you’re excited and want to share good news, when you’ve messed up and need someone to confess to, when you’re stumped and need advice, go to God. He is a dwelling place; a place where we can hang out, the best place of all.
Eternal God, You are our DWELLING PLACE. Help us remember to “hang out” with You as we would our dearest family member or friend.